Athens, TN

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2024 Population

68,227

US Senator

Marsha Blackburn

Republican Party

US Senator

Bill Hagerty

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

42.9

0.233% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

13.2%

2.1% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$61,438

3.5% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$205,300

8.51% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

29,068

3.52% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Athens, TN reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98.9% of the residents in Athens, TN are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Athens, TN are Tennessee Wesleyan University (349 degrees awarded in 2023) and Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens (101 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Athens, TN was $205,300, and the homeownership rate was 76.8%.

Most people in Athens, TN drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Athens, TN was 2 cars per household.

Athens, TN borders Cleveland, TN and Knoxville, TN.

United States Tennessee

Population & Diversity

Athens, TN is home to a population of 68.2k people, from which 98.9% are citizens. As of 2024, 2.26% of Athens, TN residents were born outside of the country (1.55k people).

In 2024, there were 29.1 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (59k people) in Athens, TN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.03k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.98k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.9%

2024 Citizenship

98.6%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.9% of Athens, TN residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Athens, TN was 98.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Athens, TN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Athens, TN

White (Non-Hispanic)
59k ± 616
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
2.03k ± 286
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
1.98k ± 251

4.04%

Hispanic Population

2.76k people

4.04% of the people in Athens, TN are hispanic (2.76k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Athens, TN as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Tennessee.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
96,695 ± 7,581 people
Guatemala
27,777 ± 4,084 people
India
24,683 ± 3,850 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Tennessee was Mexico, the natal country of 96,695 Tennessee residents, followed by Guatemala with 27,777 and India with 24,683.

Foreign-Born Population

2.26%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

1.55k people

2.69%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

1.81k people

As of 2024, 2.26% of Athens, TN residents (1.55k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Athens, TN was 2.69%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Athens, TN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,328 ± 174
Gulf War (2001-)
1,011 ± 228
Gulf War (1990s)
857 ± 230

Athens, TN has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.31 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Athens, TN.

Economy

The economy of Athens, TN employs 29.1k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Athens, TN were Manufacturing (7,601 people), Retail Trade (3,437 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (3,207 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($79,402), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($76,463), and Information ($68,875).

Employment

Occupations

29.1k

2024 Value

± 1,317

3.52%

1 Year growth

± 6.29%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Athens, TN grew at a rate of 3.52%, from 28.1k employees to 29.1k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Athens, TN, are Production Occupations (4,881 people), Management Occupations (2,554 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,441 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Athens, TN.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Tennessee (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

29.1k

2024 Value

± 1,317

3.52%

1 Year growth

± 6.29%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Athens, TN grew at a rate of 3.52%, from 28.1k employees to 29.1k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Athens, TN, are Manufacturing (7,601 people), Retail Trade (3,437 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (3,207 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Athens, TN, though some of these residents may live in Athens, TN and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$48,533

Median earning men ± $1,540

$35,066

Median earning women ± $1,788

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Information ($78,243), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($73,289), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($71,477).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($56,528), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($49,153), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($44,512).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.

Y-Axis

3.15%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 3.29M people employed in Tennessee. This represents a 3.15% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.8%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Tennessee.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

88
Retail Trade
86
Other Services (except Public Administration)
61
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$454k
Manufacturing
$90k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$77.8k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Tennessee went to Donald J. Trump with 64.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (34.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.703%).

Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty are the senators currently representing the state of Tennessee. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Tennessee is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Athens, TN. Showing the available data for Tennessee.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (64.2%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (34.5%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (0.703%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Tennessee went to Donald J. Trump with 64.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (34.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.703%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Tennessee for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Tennessee

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.

Marsha Blackburn

Senator from Tennessee

Assumed office on January 3, 2019

Bill Hagerty

Senator from Tennessee

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty are the senators currently representing Tennessee.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Tennessee over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in Athens, TN awarded 450 degrees. The student population of Athens, TN in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 665 male students and 774 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Athens, TN are White (365 and 84.7%), Black or African American (19 and 4.41%), Hispanic or Latino (18 and 4.18%), and Unknown (15 and 3.48%).

The largest universities in Athens, TN by number of degrees awarded are Tennessee Wesleyan University (349 and 77.6%) and Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens (101 and 22.4%).

The most popular majors in Athens, TN are General Business Administration & Management (65 and 14.4%), Registered Nursing (59 and 13.1%), and Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (33 and 7.33%).

The median tuition cost in Athens, TN for private four year colleges is $28,014.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Athens, TN, the percentage of applicants admitted was 59.4%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 28.6%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 1,439 (46.2% men and 53.8% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 1,439 students enrolled in Athens, TN, 46.2% men and 53.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,070 records, of which 56.5% were women and 43.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
50 degrees awarded
Dental Hygiene
17 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
59 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Athens, TN was General Business Administration & Management with 50 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Athens, TN according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Tennessee Wesleyan University
349 degrees awarded
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens
101 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Tennessee Wesleyan University with 349 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 184 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Athens, TN, which is 0.692 times less than the 266 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 365 degrees mean that there were 19.2 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 19 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($28,014) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,250) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,400) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Athens, TN was $205,300 in 2024, which is 0.617 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $189,200 to $205,300, a 8.51% increase. The homeownership rate in Athens, TN is 76.8%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Athens, TN have an average commute time of 26.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Athens, TN is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$205,300

Median Property Value 2024

±$9,388

$20,316

Median Property Taxes

±$981

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Athens, TN the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Athens, TN compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

76.8%

Homeownership

2024

67%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 76.8% of the housing units in Athens, TN were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 75.2%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Athens, TN compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$61,438

Median Household Income

± $3,780

26.5k

Number of Households

± 1,225

In 2024, the median household income of the 26.5k households in Athens, TN grew to $61,438 from the previous year's value of $59,361.

The following chart displays the households in Athens, TN distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Athens, TN is from Tennessee.

0.459

2023 Wage GINI in Tennessee

0.462

2022 Wage GINI in Tennessee

In 2023, the income inequality in Tennessee was 0.459 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.619% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Tennessee was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Tennessee in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Tennessee across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (82%)
Carpooled (9.55%)
Worked At Home (6.33%)

In 2024, 82% of workers in Athens, TN drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.55%) and those who worked at home (6.33%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

26.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Athens, TN have a shorter commute time (26.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.67% of the workforce in Athens, TN have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Athens, TN compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Athens, TN distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Athens, TN have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

13.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Athens, TN (8.82k out of 66.7k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Females 45 - 54.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Athens, TN is White, followed by Two Or More and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

90.6% of the population of Athens, TN has health coverage, with 39.6% on employee plans, 19.6% on Medicaid, 16.2% on Medicare, 12.7% on non-group plans, and 2.45% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Tennessee see 1,437 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,437 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1779 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 500 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.5% were men and 50.5% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.

1,437 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Tennessee

Primary care physicians in Tennessee see an average of 1,437 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,437 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Tennessee in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.5% under 18 years, 18.4% between 18 and 34 years, 38.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 20.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.5% were men and 50.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

9.41%

Uninsured

39.6%

Employer Coverage

19.6%

Medicaid

16.2%

Medicare

12.7%

Non-Group

2.45%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Athens, TN declined by 11.6% from 10.6% to 9.41%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Athens, TN changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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